Queenstown was the last leg of our epic road trip from the North Island all the way to the South in our campervan, Betsy. It was a bitter-sweet moment knowing that we had to say goodbye to our trusty campervan. On the other hand, I was quite thrilled about sleeping in a proper bed and having my own private shower again. Continue reading
Fes, Morocco
Fes is the cultural and spiritual center of Morocco – known for its leather tanneries. The tanneries in Morocco still follow the ancient method of treating leather whereby hides are soaked in diluted pigeon excrement and water for a few days to be softened.
A visit to a tannery is quite an experience. We walked down twisted and narrow paths in the Medina to one of the leather shops where we could get the best views of the tanneries. We stood on the rooftops and watched the tanners using nothing but their bare hands and feet to dye the leather. The local merchants offered us a few sprigs of mint to ward off the strong odors.
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After spending more than two weeks in New Zealand, I can definitively say that the best way to experience the pure nature of this country is through hiking. There are a network of well developed trails spread over the North and the South islands. From the volcanic terrain of Tongariro National Park, to the mountainous Rob Roy glacier, to the lush forests of Fiordland National Park; New Zealand has almost every type of hiking trail with picturesque and jaw dropping scenery. It was here that I developed a new found love for hiking. So it was bittersweet to know that these would be our last hikes in New Zealand. After 2 weeks of camping and hiking, I have to admit, I was ready to check into a hotel and relax at a spa, but the experience has taught me so many things and my appreciation for nature increased each time I pushed my body to the limit. Here are two of my favorite hikes in Fiordland National Park:
Runaway Bay, Jamaica
A few years ago, we organized a family trip to Jamaica with both of our families. The thing about family trips is that they are stressful and fun at the same time, and this trip was no different. From beginning to end it was packed full of adventures including stolen fruits, hijinks, and a rescue mission. All the ingredients for a memorable trip. We are due for another trip soon.
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I’ve often heard that no trip to New Zealand is really complete without a visit to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s natural wonders and a designated World Heritage Area. The funny thing is that the name can be misleading because Milford Sound is not a ‘sound’ at all, but actually a fiord. What’s the difference you ask? A sound is a valley created by rivers while a fiord is carved by glaciers. During the last Ice Age, glaciers carved out Milford Sound, a huge U-shaped valley with towering mountains, waterfalls, and rainforests. Continue reading
Madrid, Spain
The beautiful El Parque de Retiro, located in the heart of Madrid, is a popular spot for the city’s residents who go there to row boats and sunbathe. It was opened in the early seventeenth century with access only granted to members of the monarchy. The royal family used to host pageants, mock naval battles, and bullfights on these grounds.
Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.
After a few days in Wanaka, we continued our journey onwards to Mount Cook, the highest peak in Australasia at 3,755 metres. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home to many other towering peaks as well as the longest glaciers in New Zealand. According to legends, Aoraki and his three brothers, the sons of the Sky Father, had their canoe overturned on a reef while on a sea voyage. When the brothers climbed on top of their canoe, the freezing south wind turned them to stone. The canoe became the South Island (Te Waka o Aoraki) and Aoraki and his brothers became the peaks of the Southern Alps. Continue reading
Chicago, USA
The one hundred year old Navy Pier is not just a fun place to spend the afternoon, but it is also a historic landmark. It is over 3000 feet long, jutting into Lake Michigan; from the pier, you have a great view of the Chicago skyline with the prominent John Hancock Building with its double antenna.
Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.
After a long day of driving through the Haast Pass, we finally ended up at the lake-side town of Wanaka. Words simply cannot describe this beautiful and idyllic setting, but I will try. Wanaka is located on the edge an alpine lake bearing the same name, and is surrounded by the spectacular Southern Alps. It is considered to be one of the hidden gems of New Zealand since it is not as well known as Queenstown. With a population of less than 10,000, Wanaka feels noticeably less touristy than its sister city. Here, you can walk down to the lakeshore on a sunny day and not be overwhelmed by visitors. Continue reading
Atlanta, USA
This week, I dug up some photos from our trip to Atlanta a few years ago. Since we rented a car, we decided to drive out to Tallulah Gorge for a short day-hike. This beautiful destination, filled with waterfalls, rock outcrops, and river cascades is one of the most popular trails in Georgia. The easy to follow 2 mile trail takes you across a suspension bridge, down towards the gorge and back out again.
Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home. Most of my photos have little or no post processing. If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.
life after 9to5 